Control switch operator



Feb. 16, 1965 J. H. MULLEN 3,169,406

CONTROL SWITCH OPERATOR Filed. May 31 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvsmon,

John H Mullen BY l ATTO RNEY' United States Patent Filed May 3]., i961,Ser. No. 113,714 9 Claims. (ill. 74-99) This invention relates generallyto electric control switches, more particularly to electric controlswitches of the type having a reciprocating operating member and evenmore particularly to actuating units for such control switches.

It is old in the art to provide a control switch having an actuatingstructure that is manually rotatable from a first to a second positionto cam a reciprocal springbiased switch operating member from a first toa second operating position. During this movement a movable springsupport is cammed to a position charging a spring so that upon releaseof the actuating structure the charged spring discharges toautomatically effect movement of the actuating structure back to thefirst position, whereupon the spring-biased operating member isautomatically moved back to its first position. In this prior art typeof switch only the first or original position is automaticallymaintained.

An object of this invention is to provide a control switch of the typehereinbefore described, which switch has two and, in some instances,three positions that are automatically maintained.

A more general object of this invention is to provide a control switchhaving improved operation and utility.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control switch thatcomprises an improved actuating unit.

Other objects of this invention will be explained fully hereinafter orwill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided anelectric control switch comprising a switch unit that includes aspring-biased operating member that is reciprocable to open and close acircuit. An actuating unit is provided comprising a tubular supportmember having two elongated vertically extending slots therein. Anactuating structure is rotatably supported on the support member and itincludes a manually operated member having two cams attached thereto.One of the cams engages the reciprocable operating member to cam thismember to various operating positions upon rotation of the actuatingstructure. An operating spring is supported within the subular supportmember between a stationary spring support and a movable spring support.The movable spring support has two projections thereon engaging in thetwo slots in the support member to prevent rotation and to permitreciprocation of the movable spring support. The other cam on themanually operated member engages the movable spring support so that uponrotation of the actuating structure the movable spring support is cammedand, being guided by the slots in the tubular support member, it movesin a direction to charge the operating spring. Notches are provided inthe cam that engages the movable spring support, and when the actuatingstructure reaches a predetermined operating position, parts of themovable spring support engage in the notches to maintain the actuatingstructure and operating member in the predetermined position after theactuating structure is released. When it is desired to eifect movementof the operating member and actuating structure back to the startingposition, the actuating structure is manually rotated a sufficientdistance to disengage the movable spring support from the notches in thecam whereupon the charged spring discharges to move the actuatingstructure back to the starting position, and the ice spring-biasedoperating member is automatically returned to its starting position.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed description, inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in section illustrating a control switch thatembodies principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 11-11 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of one of the cam members seen in FIG. 2; 7

FIG. 4 is a linear development of the cam member hown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are top and end views, respectively, of the movable springsupport seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a linear development of another cam that is seen in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are linear developments of other cams that can be usedin place of the cam seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 when certain desiredoperational characteristics are required.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, anelectric control switch indicated generally at 1 comprises an actuatingunit indicated generally at 2 and a switch unit indicated generally at4. The actuating unit includes a tubular supporting sleeve 6 having aflanged portion 8 on the inner end thereof which flange portion isdisposed at the inner side of a supporting panel 11. A sealing disc 12composed of any'desirable sealing material, such as rubber, may beinterposed between the flange portion 8 and the inner surface of thepanel 11. A portion of the tubular support member 6 is threaded forreceiving a clamping ring 14 that is adapted to secure the supportmember 6 to the panel 11 when the clamping ring 14 is drawn downtightly. A name plate 16 having an extended portion at one side issupported between the clamping ring 14 and the panel 11. The name plate16 may carry suitable'indicia for a proper identification of the switchand for indicating the various operating positions of the switch.

An actuating structure, indicated generally at 19, comprises anelongated member 21 having a cam portion or member 23 at its upper end;a cam member 25 secured to its lower end by means of a screw 27, and anoperating handle 29 secured to its upper end by means of a screw 30. Theactuating structure 19 is rotatably supported on the tubular supportmember 6 by means of a flange portion 31 on the handle 29 which flangeportion engages the upper edge of the support member 6.

A stationary spring support 32 having an opening therein through whichthe member 21 passes, is supported on a cylindrical portion 33 of thesupport member 6. A gasket 34 is provided between the stationary springsupport 32; and the portion 33 of the support member 6. An operatingspring 35 is supported between the stationary spring support 32 and amovable spring support 36, which movable spring support has an opening37 through which the member 21 extends. Two projections 38 extendingfrom opposite sides of the movable spring support 36 engage in twoelongated vertical slots 39 in the tubular support member 6.

The cam member 25, a development of which is shown in FIG. 7, has a camsurface 41 that comprises two oppositely disposed intermediate generallyhorizontal portions 43, two oppositely disposed slanting portions 44that lead to two upper oppositely disposed generally horizontal portions4. 5, and two oppositely disposed slanting portions 46 that lead to twolower oppositely disposed generally horizontal portions 47.

The cam portion or member 23, a development of which is shown in FIG. 4,has a cam surface 51 comprising two oppositely disposed slantingsurfaces 53 and two oppositely disposed slanting surfaces '5. Theslanting surfaces 53, 55 form two inverted U-shaped surfaces each havingan apex 57. Two notches 5% are disposed at the ends of the cam surfaces53, and two notches 61 are disposed at the ends of the cam surfaces 55.

The switch unit 4 is of the type specifically described in the patent toS. L. Frank, Patent No. 2,669,616. The switch unit t comprises a base65, which is preferably of a molded insulating material. The base s5 isprovided with opposed projections s7 and oi on two sides thereof, and ithas, on the same sides, another pair of opposed projections 71. All ofthe projections 67, 69.

and 71 are spaced apart so as to provide a recessed space 73 between theinner ends thereof.

The projections s7 have a recess 7'5 extending throughout the length ofthe projections. An internal shoulder 6% is formed near the upper endsof the projections 67. The projections 6%? have a recess 77therebetween, the lower end of which is closed.

Two straight contact strips 79 and two similar contact strips 79 aredisposed in suitable slots which are provided at the inner sides of eachprojection 71 for receiving one edge of each of the contact strips, theopposite edge of each strip being received in a slot provided in one ofthe projections 59. Each of the contact strips 79 and 79' is providedwith a contact 31 or 81.

Two generally U-shaped contact strips 83 and two similar contact strips85' are supported in suitable slots in the base 65. Each of the U-shapedcontact strips 33 and 83 has one leg supporting a stationary contact 85or 35', and the leg of each strip which does not hold the stationarycontact 85 or 85, supports a terminal 87 or 37 for the purpose ofsecuring a conductor thereto.

Terminals 8'7 and 87 are also supported at the outer ends of the contactstrips 79 and 79', respectively.

The switch unit includes two operating members 89 and 8; (FIG. 2) whichare preferably molded from an insulating material, and which aredisposed in the recesses '75, 73, 77 in the base 65. As can be seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the switch unit 4 includes two identical parts operatedby the operating members $9 and 8%, respectively. The part operated bythe operating member 89 is specifically shown in FIG. 1 and willhereinafter be specifically described. It is to be understood, however,that unless otherwise described, the same general description can beapplied to both parts of the switch unit 4.

Referring to FIG. 1, the operating member 89 has a shoulder portion 93which is engageable with the shoulder 63 adjacent the outer end of therecess 75 to limit the extent of outer movement of the operating member.The operating member 89 has a contact supporting portion 95 thereon. Abridging contact member 97 is slidably mounted on the supporting strip95. The bridging contact member 97 is provided with contacts 99 onopposite sides thereof and at each end of the bridging member forcooperation with the contacts 81 of the contact strips 79 and thecontacts 85 of the U-shaped contact strips 83. The contact supportingportion or strip 95 has an extension it'll on which is slipped a springsupporting sleeve 1&3, also preferably composed of an insulatingmaterial. A coil compression spring N5 is disposed in the recess 77 toreact between the closed end of the recess and the sleeve Th3 tonormally bias the operating member 39 upwardly to the intermediateposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Upward movement of the operating member89 is stopped in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by engagement ofthe operating member 89 with one of the cam surfaces 43 (FTG. '7) of thecam member 25. A coil compression spring 107, which is weal; relative tothe spring 195, is pro- Vided on the contact supporting strip 95, and itreacts between the operating member 89 and the bridging contact member:37 in a manner to be hereinafter specifically described.

As seen in FIG. 1, the bridging contact member 97 is in an intermediateposition. When the operating member 39 is depressed, it moves thebridging contact member 97 and the contacts 99 down against the bias ofthe spring 1G5, into engagement with the lower contacts 81. When thelower contacts 99 of the bridging contact member 97 engage the contacts81, the spring 107 will compress allowing for overtravel of theoperating member 39. When the force against the operating member 89 isreleased, the spring 195 operates to return the operating member $9 andthe bridging contact member )7 back to the intermediate position shown.The operating member 89 is stopped in this intermediate position in amanner to be hereinafter specifically described. When the operatingmember 89 is further released, the spring 1 35 operates to move theoperating member and the bridging contact operating member 97 up to aposition in which the upper contacts 9% engage the contacts 85. A forcecan then be applied to return the operating member 89 and bridgingcontact member 97 back to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2-.

As was previously mentioned; the description and op eration of theoperating member 89' (FIG. 2) and its associated parts which areidentified with primed reference characters, is identical to thedescription and operation of the operating member 89 and its associatedparts.

The operation of the switch 1- is as follows: As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the switch is at an initial position in which the bridging contactmember 97 is disposed intermediate the contacts 31 and and the bridgingcontact member 97' is disposed intermediate the contacts 81 and 85. Inthis position, the switch operating members 89 and 89 engage thehorizontal portions 43 (FIG. 7) or" the cam member 25. The projections33 (FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6) of the movable spring support 36, are disposedin the upper ends of the elongated vertical slots 39 (FIGS. 1 and 2) inthe support member 6. The projections 38 of the movable spring support36 also engage in the vertices 57 (FIG. 4) of the cam member 23 when theparts are in the positions seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

When it is desired to operate the switch 1, the handle 29 of theactuating structure 19 is rotated in one direction whereupon the two camsurfaces 53 (FIG. 4) of the cam member 23 engage the projections 38(FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6) of the movable spring support 36 and, since thesupport member 6 is stationarily supported, these cam surfaces 53 camthe movabl spring support 36 down to charge the spring 35 (FIG. 2).During this movement, the cam surfaces 46 (FIG. 7) of the cam member 25engage the operating members 89 and 89 to earn these members down to aposition in which the contacts 9 and 93" engage the contacts 81 and 81'.When the parts have reached this operating position, the operatingmembers 39 and 559 engage the horizontal portions 47 (FIG. 7) of the cammember 25. When the parts have reached this operating position, theprojections 38 of the movable spring support 36 engage in notches 59(FIG. 4) in the cam member 23, so that upon release of the handle 29 theparts remain in this maintained position.

When it is desired to operate the switch back to the position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the handle 29 is manually rotated just enough todisengage the projections 38 of the movable spring support 36 from thenotches 59 (FIG. 4), thus defeating the maintaining means, whereupon thestored energy of the charged spring 35 takes over to elfect movement ofthe spring support back up.

to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which position the projections38 engage in the vertices 57 (FIG. 4) of the cam member 23.

As the movable spring support 36 moves upward, the projections 38thereon engage the cam surfaces 53 (FIG. 4) on the cam member 23 toeffect rotation of the actuating structure 19 back to the position seenin FIGS. 1 and 2. During this movement, the cam 25 (FIG. 7) is rotatedso that the operating members 89 and 89' are permitted to returnto theposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 under the bias of the springltlS(FIG. 1) in which position the operating members again engage theoppositely disposed horizontal portions 43 (FIG. 7) of the cam member25.

When it is desired to close the contacts 99 and 99 with the uppercontacts 85 and respectively, the operating handle 29 is rotated in theopposite direction from the first described contact closing operationwhereupon the two cam surfaces 55 (FIG. 4) of, the cam member 23 engagethe projections 38 of the movable spring supportfid and cam the movablespring support down charging the spring 35. At the end of this movement,the projections 38 engage in the notches 61 (FIG. 4) of the cam member23 to maintain the parts in this position. During this movement, the cammember 25 (FIG. 7) rotates so that the horizontally disposed portions 43(FIG. 7) move off of the operating members 89 and S9 and these operatingmembers move upward under the bias of the spring 105 (FIG. 1)v to aposition where they engage the oppositely disposed horizontal portions45 (FIG. 7') of the cam member 25. During this upward movement of theoperating members 89 and 89', the bridging contact members 97 and 97 aremoved up to engage the contacts 99 and 99 with the contacts 85 and 85',respectively.

The parts are maintained in this position until the operator againdesires to elifect return of the parts to the initial intermediateposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 whereupon the handle 29 is rotated justenough to disengage the projections 38 of the movable spring support 36from the notches 61 (FIG. 4) whereupon the charged spring 35 dischargesto effect upward movement of the movable spring support 36.

During this upward movement of the movable spring support '36, theprojections 33 thereon engage the cam surfaces 55 (FIG. 4-) of the cammember 23 effecting rotation of the actuating structure 19 back to theposition seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which position the projections 38again engage in the vertices 57 (FIG. 4) of the cam member 23. Duringthis rotating movement of the actuating structure 19, the cam surfaces44 (FIG. 7) of the cam member 25 engage the operating members 8? and 89'(FIGS. 1 and 2) to cam these operating members back down against thebias of the spring 105 to the position in which the operating membersagain engage the oppositely disposed horizontal portions 43 (FIG. 7) ofthe cam member 25. When the parts reach this position, the bridgingcontact members 99 and 99 are again disposed in the intermediatenon-contacting positions seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.. I

In FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, thereare illustrated three cam members 113, 115and 117, respectively, that can be used in different embodiments of theinvention in place of the cam member 23 (FIG. 4). The parts of the cammembers 113, 115 and 117 that function in substantially the same manneras similar parts of the cam member 23 (FIG. 4) are designated by thesame reference characters as the similar parts of the cam member 23.,

Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the cam member 113 has a notch59 at one end of each of the cam surfaces 53; but there are no notchesat the-corresponding ends of the cam surfaces 55. When this cam memberis used as part of the actuating structure 19 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and whenthe actuating structure is rotated in the direction to cam theprojections 38 of the movable spring support 36 against the cam surfaces53 (FIG. 8), the actuating structure will be maintained in position whenthe projections 38 engage in the notches 59. When the actuatingstructure 19 is rotated in the other direction, however, in whichdirection the cam surfaces 55 (FIG. 8) engage the projections 38 to camthe movable spring support 36 down, the final position will be merely amomentary position so that, upon release of the actuating handle 29, thespring 35 will operate to efiect movement of the parts back to thepositions in which they appear in FIGS. 1 and 2. It can beunderstoodthat the cam member 113 (FIG. 8) can be constructed with retainingnotches adjacent the cam surfaces 55 and without the retaining notches59 adjacent'the cam surfaces 53 thus providing for a maintained finalposition when the actuating structure is rotated to cam the cam surfaces55 against the projections 38 and a momentary final position when theactuating structure is rotated to cam the cam surfaces 53 against theprojections 38. c

Each of the cam members 115 and 117 (FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively) isconstructed to be used in place of the cam 23 (FIG. 4) in a switchhaving only two operating positions. In each case, an initial operatingposition is etfected when the projections 38 of the movable springsupport 36 engage the oppositely disposed horizontal portions 57. If thecam 115 is used, the switch will be maintained in the second operatingposition when the projections 38 engage in the notches 61. If the earn117 is used, the switch will be maintained in the second operatingposition when the projections 38 engage in the notches 59. Otherwise,the operation of the actuating :unit 2 portion of the switch 1 isgenerally the same as hereinbefore described.

When either the cam 113 or the earn 115 is used, the switch unit portion2 of the switch 1 can be changed slightly. These changes would comprisemerely changing the cam member 25 and the position of the contacts sothat when the switch is in the first maintained position the contacts 99and 99' of the bridging contact members 97 and M will engage uppercontacts and 85, respectively. Upon movement of the actuating structureto the second maintained position the contactsr99 and 99' will be moveddown to engage the lower contacts 81 and 81, respectively. Thisconstruction of the switch unit 4 permits control of various motorcircuits in a variety of ways well known to those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that in all of the above-described structures,for certain desired operations, a switch unit 4 could be used comprisingonly one operating member 39 or 89' for operating only one bridgingcontact member 97 or 97, respectively.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there is provided an improvedcontrol switch comprising a spring-return actuating structure that isrotatable toreciprocably move inthe foregoing description or shown inthe accompany- I ing drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switch actuating unit for reciprocally moving a switch operatingmember, a cam member, an actuating structure rotatable in a firstdirection from a first position to a second position to rotate said cammember to effect movement of said switch operating member from a firstoperating position to a second operating position, a first retainingmeans forretaining said actuating structure in said second position,resilient means operating to automatically return said first actuatingstructure to. said first operating position when said retaining means isreleased to thereby effect movement of said switch operating memher fromsaid second operating position to said first operating position, saidactuating structure being rotatable in a second direction from saidfirst position toa', third position to rotate said cam member to effectmovement of saidswitch operating member fromsaidfirst operat-.

a ing position to a third operating position, a second retaining meansfor retaining said actuating structure in said third position, and saidresilient means operating to automatically return said actuatingstructure to said first operating position when said second retainingmeans is released to thereby effect movement of said switch operatingmember from said third operating position to said first operatingposition.

2. A switch actuating unit for reciprocally moving a switch operatingmember which switch operating member is spring biased to a firstposition, said switch actuating unit comprising, in combination, arotatable actuating structure comprising a first cam member, a rotatableactuating member rotatable from a first position to a second position torotate said first cam member to effect movement of said switch operatingmember from said first position to a second position, a spring, meanscomprising a second cam member charging said spring when said actuatingstructure is rotated from said first position to said second position,manually defeatable maintaining means operating automatically tomaintain said actuating structure in said second position when saidactuating structure is rotated to said second position, and said springdischarging sufficiently to automatically return said actuatingstructure to said first position when said maintaining means isdefeated.

3. A switch actuating unit for reciprocating a switch operating member,said switch actuating unit comprising, in combination, a rotatableactuating structure comprising an actuating member and a first cammember attached to said actuating member, said actuating structure beingrotatable from a first position to a second position to move saidoperating member from a first position to a second position, resilientmeans, means comprising a second cam member attached to said actuatingmember and charging said resilient means when said actuating structureis rotated from said first to said second position, manually defeatablemaintaining means operating automatically to maintain said actuatingstructure in said second position when said actuating structure isrotated to said second position, and upon defeat of said maintainingmeans said charged resilient means operating to effect rotation of saidactuating structure from said second position to said first position.

4. In a switch actuating unit for reciprocally moving a switch operatingmember, a rotatable actuating structure comprising an actuating member,a first cam member movable with said actuating member, a second cam menuber movable with said actuating member, a stationary spring support, amovable spring support having a projection thereon, a spring supportedbetween said stationary and movable spring supports, said actuatingstructure being rotatable from a first position to a second positionduring which movement said first cam member cams said movable springsupport to charge said spring member and said second cam member camssaid operating member to move said operating member from a firstposition to a second position, said first cam member having a notchtherein that receives said projection on said first spring support tomaintain said actuating structure in said second position, and when saidactuating structure is rotated to a position that clears said projectionfrom said notch said charged spring operating to effect rotation of saidactuat ing structure from said second position to said first position.

5. A switch actuating unit for reciprocally operating a switch operatingmember, said switch actuating unit comprising, in combination, astationary tubular support member having two elongated slots therein, arotatable actuating structure comprising an actuating member, a firstcam member secured to said actuating member and having a cam surfacethereon, a second cam member secured to said actuating member and havinga cam surface thereon, a stationary spring support, a movable springsupport having two projections thereon, each of said projections beingdisposed in one of said slots, a spring supported between saidstationary and movable spring supports, upon rotation of said actuatingstructure from a first to a second position said cam surface of saidfirst cam member operating to move said movable spring support to effectcharging of said spring, said cams surface of said first cam memberhaving two notches therein, said projections engaging in said notches toretain said actuating structure in said second position, when saidactuating structure is rotated back towards said first position anamount snlficient to clear said projections from said notches saidcharged spring discharging sufiiciently to effect rotation of saidactuating structure back to said first position.

6. An electric switch comprising, in combination, a switch structurecomprising a switch operating member reciprocable to open and close anelectric circuit, means biasing said switch operating member to a firstposition, a rotatable actuating structure comprising a first cam memberand being rotatable from a first position to a second position whereuponsaid first cam member is operated to move said operating member fromsaid first position to a second position, resilient means, a second cammember operable to charge said resilient means when said actuatingstructure is rotated from said first to said second position, manuallydefeatable maintaining means operating automatically to maintain saidactuating structure in said second position when said actuatingstructure is rotated to said second position, means for maintaining saidoperating member in said second position when said actuating structureis in said second position, upon defeat of said maintaining means saidresilient means operating to automatically effect return of saidactuating structure to said first position, and said biasing meansoperating to move said switch operating member back to its firstposition when said actuating structure is moved to its first position.

7. A switch actuating unit for reciprocally moving a switch operatingmember and comprising, in combination, a first cam member, a second cammember, resilient means, an actuatin member rotatable in a firstdirection from a first position to a second position during whichmovement said first cam member is operated to effect movement of saidswitch operating member from a first operating position to a secondoperating position and said second cam member is operated to charge saidresilient means, a first retaining means for retaining said actuatingstructure in said second position, upon defeat of said first retainingmeans said charged resilient means operating to automatically returnsaid actuating structure to said first operating position to therebyeffect movement of said switch operating member from said secondoperating position to said first operating position, said actuatingstructure being rotatable in a second direction from said first positionto a third position during which operation said first cam member isoperated to effect movement of said switch operating member from saidfirst operating position to a third operating position and said secondcam member is operated to charge said resilient means, a secondretaining means for retaining said actuating structure in said thirdposition, upon defeat of said second retaining means said chargedresilient means operating to automatically return said actuatingstructure to said first operating position to thereby efiect movement ofsaid switch operating member from said third operating position to saidfirst operating position.

8. An electric switch comprising, in combination, a switch structurecomprising a switch operating member reciprocal rectilinearly to openand close an electric circuit, a first cam member, a second cam member,resilient means, an actuating structure rotatable in a first directionfrom a first position to a second position during which movement saidfirst c-arn member is rotated to effect movement of said switchoperating member from a first operating position to a second operatingposition and said second cam member is rotated to effect charging ofsaid resilient means, a first retaining means for retaining saidactuating structure in said second position, upon defeat of said firstretaining means said charged resilient means operating to automaticallyreturn said actuating structure to said first position to thereby effectmovement of said switch operating member from said second operatingposition to said first operating position, said actuating structurebeing rotatable in a second direction opposite from said first directionand from said first position to a third position during which movementsaid first cam member is rotated to eflect movement of said switchoperating member from said first operating position to a third operatingposition and said second cam member is operated to charge said resilientmeans, a second retaining means for retaining said actuating structurein said third position, and upon defeat of said second retaining meanssaid charged resilient means operating to automatically return saidactuating structure to said first operating position to thereby effectmovement of said switch operating member from said third operatingposition to said first operating position.

9. An electric switch comprising, in combination, a switch structurecomprising a switch operating member reciprocal to open and close anelectric circuit, means biasing said swith operating member to a firstposition, a rotatable actuating structure rotatable in a first directionfrom a first position to a second position to effect movement of saidoperating member from a first position to a second position, resilientmeans, means charging said resilient means when said actuating structureis rotated from t It) said first position to said second position, afirst maintaining means for maintaining said actuating structure in saidsecond position, upon defeat of said first maintaining means saidcharged resilient means discharging sufiiciently to automatically efiectreturn of said actuating structure to said-first position, said biasingmeans operating to return said operating member from its second to itsfirst position when said actauting structure is returned from its secondto its first position, said actuating structure being rotatable fromsaid first position in another direction opposite from said firstdirection to a thirdposition to efiect movement of said operating memberfrom said first position to a third position, means charging saidresilient means when said actuating structure is rotated from said firstposition to said third position, a second maintaining means formaintaining said actuating structure in said third position,

upon defeat of said second maintaining means said i charged resilientmeans discharging sufiiciently to automatically effect return of saidactuating structure to said first position, and means on said actuatingstructure operating to move said operating member from its thirdposition to its first position when said actuating structure is returnedfrom its third position to its first position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS MillerMay 25, 1954

1. IN A SWITCH ACTUATING UNIT FOR RECIPROCALLY MOVING A SWITCH OPERATINGMEMBER, A CAM MEMBER, AN ACTUATING STRUCTURE ROTATABLE IN A FIRSTDIRECTION FROM A FIRST POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION TO ROTATE SAID CAMMEMBER TO EFFET MOVEMENT OF SAID SWITCH OPERATING MEMBER FROM A FIRSTOPERATING POSITION TO A SECOND OPERATING POSITION, A FIRST RETAININGMEANS FOR RETAINING SAID ACTUATING STRUCTURE IN SAID SECOND POSITION,RESILIENT MEANS OPERATING TO AUTOMATICALLY RETURN SAID FIRST ACTUATINGSTRUCTURE TO SAID FIRST OPERATING POSITION WHEN SAID RETAINING MEANS ISRELEASED TO THEREBY EFFECT MOVEMENT OF SAID SWITCH OPERATING MEMBER FROMSAID SECOND OPERATING POSITION TO SAID FIRST OPERATING POSITION, SAIDACTUATING STRUCTURE BEING ROTATABLE IN A SECOND DIRECTION FROM SAIDFIRST POSITION TO A THIRD POSITION TO ROTATE SAID CAM MEMBER TO EFFECTMOVEMENT OF SAID SWITCH OPERATING MEMBER FROM SAID FIRST OPERATINGPOSITION TO A THIRD OPERATING POSITION, A SECOND RETAINING MEANS FORRETAINING SAID ACTUATING STRUCTURE IN SAID THIRD POSITION, AND SAIDRESILIENT MEANS OPERATING TO AUTOMATICALLY RETURN SAID ACTUATINGSTRUCTURE TO SAID FIRST OPERATING POSITION WHEN SAID SECOND RETAININGMEANS IS RE-